Shaquille O’Neal and Donald Trump share a surprising moment at UFC 314; the former NBA player friends with the Republican?

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Shaquille O’Neal’s friendly interaction with Donald Trump at UFC 314 in Miami has sparked online debate, especially considering O’Neal’s past criticism of Trump. Videos show O’Neal greeting Trump warmly, leading to mixed reactions on social media, with some expressing surprise and others applauding the respect shown to the former president.

Shaquille O’Neal, the famed NBA player, has been raising the eyebrows of netizens after he was spotted having a rather friendly chat with handshakes and whispers in each other’s ears with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, at UFC 314 in Miami on Saturday.

According to the videos surfacing on the internet, Shaq made his way through the crowd just to meet the president. The NBA player, O’Neal, shook POTUS’s hands and was seen whispering something in each other’s ears while having a good moment. Well, Trump was not the only person Shaq met – President’s ally, Robert Kennedy Jr., posted a picture with the 4-time-winning NBA champion. Donald Trump was accompanied by his other allies, including UFC’s Dana White and other known figures like Joe Rogan and Dave Portney.

Wow. Shaq makes his way through the crowd at UFC 314 to shake President Trump’s hand.

Respect.

pic.twitter.com/sXuZSPwBLl

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 13, 2025

The history of Shaq and Donald Trump back in the day. The NBA player always stood out for speaking his mind, even against all the odds. He lashed out at the then-presidential candidate, Trump, when he trolled the pop icon Rihanna – who was pregnant at the time – for her dance performance at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2023.

“EPIC FAIL: Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history. This after insulting far more than half of our Nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language,” he wrote on his Truth Social account. He added, “Also, so much for her ‘Stylist!’

Criticising Trump, Shaq shut down the trolls and asked her to leave her alone during his podcast. “Rappers. Presidential candidates. I’m gonna have to get at you. Leave her alone,” he added.

Previous to this incident, they met when the player was an active player in NBA games, and Trump was one of the guests in 2005. Later in that year, O’Neal gave a Rolls Royce as a gift during Donald and Melania’s wedding, according to Essentially Sports.

Shaq expressed his feelings about Trump in 2016 by stating, “Donald Trump speaks to an eclectic type audience… I just think he says it wrong. Donald’s like a straight-up guy. He’s a straight-forward guy.”

However, after the not-so-random yet surprising meet at UFC 314 caused a stir amongst the netizens – where many couldn’t believe Shaq shaking his hands with the Republican. One user on X stated, “I didn’t see that coming. I thought he’d be woke for sure.” Others loved the meet and were happy to see the President given so much respect.

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